Hi. I’m a senior applying to college in October, 2015.
I’ve been formulating my school list, and would like to get some advice.
These are my basic stats:
GOOD
GPA=4.0/4.0
ACT=35/36 (E/R/M/S/W=33/34/36/36/9)
SATII - Physics=800
Math II=800
Chemistry=770
ECs in science field, with 1 national champion and 1 silver medal
150hr+ mentoring volunteer for multicultural background students
Taken many MOOC courses related to my wanted major
Project with UNEP in Nepal (appropriate technology)
Class president & president for multiple clubs (most were clubs to help juniors learn science)
BAD
Duh, I’m Asian boy who wants to major in Chemistry (which should be a worst case…)
I don’t have a fabulous 10+ page research paper… Just some ECs I paid my effort, and received decent results.
Both recommending teachers are expected to write me a decent letter, as I took their class for 2+ years consecutively and I maintained top tier scores. Also, one of them is a Chemistry teacher and the other, English teacher. Thus, I’d be able to tackle with schools with any recommendation letter requirements. (plus, I can also get one external recommendation letter - from a current researcher)
I have dreamed to go to Caltech since 5th grade, but I’m leaning towards Princeton for my early application, for better financial aid packages offered.
For a prospective chemistry (specifically, physical chemistry or quantum chemistry) major, which schools could be my good high-reach/reach/match/safety schools? Thanks a lot in advance.
I know that AP doesn’t count in admission process, but anyways,
I have 5 in Physics B, Physics C (Mech), Physics C (E&M), Chemistry, Biology, Calculus BC
and 4 in Macroec, Microec.
I’ll take Stat, Enviro Sci, and Computer Sci just to learn new things that I might use during my science research career.
You actually look like a Caltechie to me.
As long as you are branching out, have you considered Yale?
@JustOneDad
Thanks for your reply.
Yes, I really like the atmosphere of Caltech. However, I also have a strong belief not to get any financial help from my parents after I become an adult. That’s why I want to give a shot for schools with unlimited fund. I’ll look more on Yale (thanks a lot 
)
Which schools should be good safeties/matches for me - considering my prospective major? Thank you.
Well, the system sort of mandates that your parents are responsible for their expected financial contributions regardless of your own beliefs.
Have you heard of Need-Based Aid? Yale students, for example, graduate with less debt than Caltech students.
You have not indicated where you live, and it’s important to know that for safeties/matches.
You sound like you’re international. Let me guess, India? Silver medal is a great accomplishment. However as an international you will have a heck of a time getting in. Looks like for a typical incoming freshman class, only 5-6% are international.
Don’t get me wrong. Your stats are great. However note that you won’t get in just based on stats alone. The ECs that you describe above are strong. However keep in mind that you will be competing against kids who are doing work on the undergraduate/graduate level while still in high school.
Now if you had some outstanding ECs related to chemistry that simply astounds, then it would be a different story. Why not apply to a broader range of schools?
@JustOneDad @sgopal2
Thanks for your input.
I have some quite good ECs in science overall (1 summer in lab, few competition awards, etc) but they all range in physics to biology to chemistry - it isn’t centered to chemistry-related activities.
I live in Korea (not the north one, of course) and hold Korean citizenship. So, I’ll be prioritizing schools that grant generous FAs to international students.
Yeah, I’m now currently looking for some wide range of schools that can be match schools & safety schools. Could you suggest some schools that have strong chemistry programs that I can research more on? Thank you.
PS. And one thing. I’m in school Honor Committee since 10th grade. Would this count as a plus to schools that have Honor Committee? Thanks for your replies.
Even Princeton will not give you a full-ride unless your parents make 60,000 USD or less per year. If you don’t want to borrow any money from your parents, you will need to go to a school where you would get merit aid- in other words, a school a lot less prestigious/famous than Caltech or Princeton. The way need-based aid (which is what the ivies have) works is that the colleges determine what they think your parents should be able to pay and fill in the gap between that and the sticker price. They’re going to assume your parents will be funding the bulk of your education regardless of whether or not you believe they should.
@Qwerty568
Thanks for your input. I just want to minimize the cost anyways.
Could you also recommend me other schools that can be part of my college list? I definitely need more match / safety schools.
The University of Washington takes a lot of Pacific Rim international students and it’s a very good school in the sciences.